Annual Adjustment of Skilled Visa Income Thresholds Effective from July 1, 2025

The income requirements for skilled visas will rise by 4.6% as of July 1, 2025. Changes to the yearly Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) are consistent with this. As suggested by the Migration Review, this fulfils the commitment stated in the Migration Strategy. Wages for skilled migrants rise at the same rate as those of Australian workers since income levels are raised annually. This ensures that skilled migration cannot be used to undercut Australian labour.

From July 1, 2025, indexation changes will be as follows:

• From AUD73,150 to AUD76,515, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will rise. This will affect nomination applications for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) and the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).
• The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will rise from AUD135,000 to AUD141,210. This will affect nominations for the Skills in Demand visa’s Specialist Skills stream (subclass 482).
• For the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187) and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494), the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will rise from AUD73,150 to AUD76,515. This complies with the CSIT and is contingent upon the approval of the appropriate laws.
• Starting on July 1, 2025, new nomination applications must be submitted that meet either the annual market salary rate or the new relevant income threshold, whichever is higher.

CSOL and Its Impact on the 482 & 186 Visa Pathway

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) significantly influences eligibility for the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) and possible routes to Permanent Residency (PR) via the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186).

• You might qualify for sponsorship under the 186 (DE) Visa or the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (482) if your line of work is listed in the CSOL.
• Achieving the CSIT wage criteria is essential to ensure the approval of a visa nomination.
• Additionally, some CSOL vocations may offer a route to permanent residence through the subclass 186 Employer Sponsored Visa.

Why CSIT Matters for Employers and Visa Applicants?

The offered pay must meet or surpass the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) for employers sponsoring skilled workers under the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482), 186 (DE) Visa, and 494 Regional Visa. 

A successful visa application depends on CSIT compliance. To get sponsorship, you must apply for the SID, Subclass 186 Direct Entry (DE) visa or the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa.